Australia Tells AI Data Centres to Put Back More Power Than They Take Out
By Anthony Albanese
July 15, 2026 – 10:03 am
Image by: Australian Government
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has sent a clear message to the AI industry: Australian books, music, and journalism are not free training data. In a speech at the University of Sydney on Wednesday, he announced several measures aimed at ensuring Australia’s digital future is both innovative and protective of local creativity.
Key Announcements:
- Office of AI: An Office of AI will be established within his department, effective immediately.
- Australian Standards: New Australian Standards will cover energy, water, copyright, and data centre siting.
- Net-Generator Rules: Future large data centres in Australia must be net-generators, putting back into the grid at least as much electricity as they draw out.
- Water Management: Data centre operators will have to minimize water use and pay for any additional infrastructure needed.
- Copyright Protection: Australian artists, writers, musicians, and journalists must retain ownership and control of their work. Albanese stated that using this content without the artist’s control over price and value is "theft."
Details and Implications:
While Albanese did not provide a mechanism for enforcing copyright controls, he emphasized that nothing announced on Wednesday is binding law yet. The Office of AI and standards will go to National Cabinet next month, with legislation targeted for introduction early next year.
He also made clear his preference for a lighter regulatory touch, stating, "It is not our goal to try and legislate for every possible eventuality or risk." This approach aligns more closely with the retreating stance of Brussels on AI regulation than with the initial draft of an AI Act.
The announcements underscore Australia’s ambition to lead globally in addressing the ethical and economic challenges posed by AI, all while ensuring local artists, writers, and journalists benefit from their work in the digital age.